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place for outside people, from Britain and elsewhere,
to go on making a contribution to life in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong would maintain its cultural life and links
with the outside world.
The Chinese Government have made it clear publicly
that they see the administration of Hong Kong, after
1997, as being in the hands of Hong Kong people
themselves. This would follow a process of development
which I am glad to say is already under way, and which
I expect to evolve further. During the years immediately
ahead, the Government of Hong Kong will be developed
on increasingly representative lines.
I recognise and understand that the prospect of
change causes real concern. My contacts here in the
last two days have borne this in upon me very clearly.
It is natural that people are anxious to know what
the future will hold. We listen carefully to the views
of Hong Kong people and take full account of those
views in the negotiations. My discussions with the
Chinese leaders have convinced me that they want the
Hong Kong systems to remain fundamentally as they are.
We have stressed all along the need for firm assurance
that arrangements for Hong Kong's continuing prosperity
and stability based on effective autonomy, will continue.
The Chinese Government have made it clear publicly that
they intend such arrangements to last for at least
fifty years from 1997. We are working for an agreement
/which
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